My Biggest Off Road Fails! 

Hey Matt. We just watched the vid and wanted to tell you how much we appreciate not only your honesty but your humility it’s not always easy to admit our mistakes but it’s important to realize that we all make them and hopefully learn from the ones we make. Better yet is when we’re wise enough to learn from the mistakes of others so we don’t have to make them. Thanks again for you constant stewardship of the trails you are a role model for us all.

This is called being a real human being. I appreciate the openness, Matt, and may we all reflect on our own mistakes.

My biggest off-road fail is not getting out off-roading sooner in my life and not doing more of it

Because of your channel I've started getting into overlanding more than just going to the off road parks. Last month was my first trip to the Ozarks, living in Arkansas for 22 years I can't believe it took me that long to go there, but it won't be my last. Please keep the great videos coming and if you would like 2 more Jeeps with you when you go back to Mt. Magazine me and a buddy would love to come along.

Would love to see more of where you are while you’re talking.. we are just loving the scenery (your hair is fun too :) but the scenery & roads steal the show) thanks for doing what you do!!

mistakes/failure are part of the path to success. Do your best to not make them, but accept that you will. Love the channel - A neighbor in TN

Great video, great message. I think we all fail when we stop learning and your videos provide a great learning opportunity for everyone that watches them.

As a younger man I made SO MANY mistakes that you mentioned. The driving up n down the streams was always a "favorite". I'm not nor have I ever been a trespasser. Currently living in Southern Illinois Shawnee National Forest area, there are numerous CLOSED trails, I respect those even though there are often other ways to access them. I'm much older now and have exchanged my youthful poor judgement to hopefully a more respectful and responsible approach. Thank you Matt

Thanks for this one. As i am new to offroading in the national parks I am learning. 1. Parking in water, 😔 not any more. 2. Diving off in the mud without checking it first. 3. Big groups. Been in some around 11-12 rigs and I understand how difficult it can be.

Hi Matt, thank you for the content in this video. I really Loved the trail you were on, the mud, dirt and water crossings were awesome. Very beautiful 🤩 I appreciate you and Cara. Thanks 😊

As someone who leads a trail ride every month, I 100% agree about the large groups. I limit mine to 10 (sometimes we stretch and go to 12 or 13 which I really am hesitant on), but any more than 10 or so and it’s not enjoyable. It takes way too much time, it’s stressful, and just not worth it. We will split up into multiple little groups and we always have a better time.

Once I went off road without another vehicle and got stuck without a winch or any gear. Luckily I had cell service and I was able to call a friend to come help. I completely understand why you don’t hit big puddles when you’re by yourself.

That’s weird. Here in Michigan you buy an ORV and trail sticker for your vehicle and now you can drive the same trails as SxS. And some of these trails are pretty gnarley.

Hi Matt love your channel. i love the stories you told would love to hear more misadventures.. I really like how you are down to earth and tell it how it is. If you are ever in Southerm California, I would like to meet up with you and your wife. We have never been 4 wheeling and really have gotten the bug because of your channel and Brad's channel. Cant wait for the next video!

Excellent points sir . Safety 1st and respect for the Forrest trails wildlife areas etc.....

I learned several things I with have to do differently, thanks for sharing

Your personality keeps us coming back for more off roading adventures. Love your authenticity

Great video! Biggest mistake for me is being too hesitant to take my TJ off road.. so far. :) It was my sons TJ for the last 19 years and he lifted it, mounted 33s on it and only used it to rock climb the last 15 years, if it wasn't just sitting in his garage. Now I'm glad that I haven't gone out wondering around Carolina bc I would have hit state and Ntl forest roads without checking! Uwharrie Forest and Windrock in TN were his favorite trails but all the newer jeeps running massive tires have trashed those trails by rutting them up so deep even his TJ with 33s high centered where the trails are just deep ruts. That's why I'm looking forward to the minimum maintenance forest roads.. soon!

I like when those failures have time between each other!! Love the channel

Another great example of how to learn the right way to do things. Enjoyed watching and learning once again Matt. The most important thing is that you are being yourself and honest.

I've made a lot of the same mistakes, driving on closed trails check, not positive, but didn't know what I was doing Parking in water check. But since following your channel I know those are illegal so Thank you for showing us newbies the correct way to enjoy the National Forest.

Man I just want to say thank you so much! I’ve sat here and watched as many of your videos as I can. You have great knowledge and has inspired me. My wife has to sit through them but because of your videos she is just as excited as I am to get out in a trail. We got our first jeep about a month ago and I wanted to learn as much as I could before getting out in a trail. Tha k you for your content and knowledge. It is so very helpful!

One fail that comes to mind is from a snowy winter near Bethel, Maine in the late 90's. I managed to combine all of the "don'ts" of winter wheeling, and many "don'ts" of wheeling in general, into a perfect storm of Friday night/Saturday afternoon failed snow camping stupidity in my XJ Cherokee. It was below freezing when I set off after work on a Friday. I was alone, I had very limited recovery gear, it was pre-cellphone proliferation so I had no communication gear beyond a CB, no extreme cold weather gear beyond a 0f sleeping bag, only enough water/food/fuel for one night, and nobody knew where I was going or when to expect me/when I was overdue until Monday. I was on an unfamiliar trail off of an unfamiliar forest service road with a ~30 yr old topo quad and to top it all off, 2-4" of snow was in the process of falling, on top of the 4-6" already on the ground. Long story short, without realizing it and due to the snow pack, about 10 miles into the double track on the way to an abandoned CCC camp, I drove onto a frozen pond I mistook for a clearing from the outdated map and ended up breaking through the ice. Luckily the water wasn't too deep & while I couldn't open a door, I was able to crawl out through the window. The CB stayed dry & had enough battery that I was able to reach someone who relayed my location to the USFS, who in turn came out on snowmobiles and picked me up around noon the following day. I don't remember exactly how much I spent in fines (the forest service road is closed in the winter, as is the trail to the CCC campground and the CCC campground itself), but on the plus side the USFS let some of my knucklehead friends in their Jeeps (and one Isuzu Rodeo) extract my XJ to save on the off-road recovery bill that would have been north of $700.

Great advice for us newbies - thanks!

You can always make room and carry around a little 110 cc 4wheeler around in the bed, so you can toss it out and check out those short little OHV stints when you're doing short outings like this.

Hey Matt just watched this and wanted to say thank you for the great tips and no the tree wasn't your fault. The person cutting it was/is totally to blame and needs to own it. Keep up the awesome content and you and yours have a very Merry Christmas and better New Year then this year was.

great video and thank you for sharing. I'm still new to overlanding so it's good for me to hear this, so I don't make the same mistakes. "A smart man makes a mistake, learns from it, and never makes that mistake again. But a wise man finds a smart man and learns from him how to avoid the mistake altogether."

Very informative video and well narrated. I brought home a new Jeep today and your insight is very much appreciated! Cheers from Denver👍

That's some great points we have all made mistakes, but educating yourself helps us all stay out there on the trails! I agree with you on the smaller groups to!!

Hit a hidden log on a leaf covered trail in a lifted CJ5. I didnt think I would ever stop bouncing. It was not a small log.

Lots to learn from this. Thanks Matt. My take on the tree cutting, not your fault or blame.

Really enjoy all of yours and Kara's videos. Always learn a lot. I have a stock Sahara up here in the Northeast and we do have quite a few Jeep clubs, but not a lot of places to overland, but a lot of places to go wheeling. Your comment(s) about over-sized Jeep clubs rings true. While I've never gone out with a huge group (or for that matter a small group) you can always see the aftermath of their wheeling. While most everyone tries to be good stewards, it only takes one or two to raise concerns. Thanks again for posting the videos!

Love this, I am always the lead by example kind of person. Oh I love Grand Wagoneer ZJ clip

Been wheelin for a long time. I like the stee and federal parks as well as off parks like windrock. We all made those "newbie" mistakes. We all have to own it thays how we learn and teach others. Enjoy your videos and keep teaching.

Thanks for your honesty and I will take head of your advice. The OHV thing I don't understand at all. One thing I can add is that people with Toyota's (and stock jeeps) need to understand the limitations of their vehicles. Now before anyone starts post that I don't know what I'm talking about I drive a Tacoma. And not that Toyota's can't be capable with enough modification. I remember the guy who went through a river crossing in one of your videos in his 4runner and slid back into the water allowing his gas filler to go under and then shortly there after rolled on his side in a mud pit. 4 runners are awesome vehicles same with Tacoma's but they are limited and I see people trying to prove how they are like jeeps much to the determent of their pocket books.

Im behind on your videos Matt & Cara but im catching up!! Great vid as always!!!

Awesome video as always. I have no doubt you weren't a part of removing the " live obstacle." People like that don't deserve to enjoy the Ozarks. We've all made mistakes off-roading but that ain't one anyone should do.

I wanted to add to my other two comments, that I really liked this video. We have all done things wrong in some form or fashion... This video is excellent in that it serves as a reminder that we are responsible for what we do on public lands. In my area here in East Tennessee, on local wildlife management lands there is a bridge over an ecologically important creek (it is a trout spawn), but there is a pirate trail down the bank and across the creek that is clearly used frequently. I could not tell you how often I have arrived at a camp site and found that the ground glittered like gemstones from the amount of broken glass around the site... Speaking of camp sites... SO MANY pirate camp sites... fire pits under heavy canopy of trees, and dangerously close to pine stands... And the trash to be found... Within a couple miles of my house is a small (1100 acre) patch of private land that has been open to jeep use for years. It is VERY mild as trails go, but has a number of short hill climbs... but last time I was there, I found shot up paint cans with gallons of paint splattered around, appliances, even a hottub that was shot up to a point fiberglass was scattered over the better part of an acre of land. Shell casings that appear to have been fired towards town from a popular overlook... The land owner has gotten tired of the dumping (some of which could only be brought in with a 4x4 due to the trails it was on) and has closed the property. Likewise about 15 years back there was a railroad utility access down by the river that had some washouts that made for some interesting wheeling even if it was a "level road" (suddenly find yourself looking at the sky or even going for a swim if not careful) the rail road would turn a blind eye to people wheeling, fishing and camping from that property but the trash situation got too bad and they eventually closed it off... more recently (earlier this year) a nationally known off road trail here (Nemo Tunnel) was posted that the railroad that owned the land was considering closing the site due to excess trash, though the final nail in the coffin came when some guy stalled out his truck on a pirate hill climb too close to an active track and got the truck hit by a train (no injuries, but it totaled a classic truck, damaged a locomotive and put a freight line a couple hours behind schedule)

Made all the same mistakes except being around a tree getting cut down. 100% correct on the big groups we went on one that had over 40 Jeeps was miserable first opportunity we turned off and did our own thing. Just a heads up we ride dirt bikes on magazine a good bit and during the fair weather season it is overrun with SXS and ATV’s and a few just have zero respect for others and the forest. Great video!

Mistakes I’ve made is wheeling and camping in an area where hunters were active. We had been hiking in the woods and I forgot it was hunting season and walked right by a hunter in a tree. I should have known better.

Great information Matt!

My worst was in my 82 chevy on 39.5 boggers driving in ponds I was not familiar with didn't always go as planned. I sure am glad I'm older and wiser now

Thats a nice bench...but...why? Lol I love your vids Matt

"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail." ― Confucius

I am going to add to your list of fails/ Failure as a novice. First taking out "jeepers" that are new to the world of off roading that were drinking and driving in water and off the trail. second is Littering i am always in Mark Twain National Forest in MO and the amount of Beer Cans and trash is horrible. being in the mid-West we don't have larger organizations that do cleanup Projects like Tread Lightly, so its just left there. My trail Trash bag is always full when i return home. Plus your list 100% agree with as well

I can't see or understand why they would blame you for cutting down a tree that you never did thank you for the video I did learn a lot see you on the next one take care God bless

So I think the real question is…..do you wear the sandals all the time so you don’t have to deal with muddy wet socks? I like it! LOVE your channel. I refer you to everyone who has expressed an interest in doing SOMETHING to break up the pattern life throws us…to watch your channel and GET OUT THERE!” as you say….even in stock!…Keep the videos coming. Thank you!

Holy cow that view looks epic. Wish it was a little clearer. While you where there.

I was guilty in my younger days. My biggest pet peeve is diggers! People that have to dig out mud holes. Then move to the bypass and dig it out. Usually afterwards come "let's see anyone else get through there"

My only fail or regret is not getting into off roading until now at age 46 in 2024. But I am glad that I have, as I would rather be out there on a trail than sitting around at home. I live in Western KY and been using the regional WMA lands and Land between the Lake trails, since being close, for decent 'practice' since I'm a noob at this. Your videos has been very helpful for my progress since I'm typically solo. Don't have anyone to really ride with nor found any clubs to join so typically out alone. I have basic recovery gear, shovels and traction boards. So with that I've kept to fairly easy trails. Do have plans for a upgraded bumper with winch (2021 Tacoma TRD) So as long as I don't do anything stupid (nose diving into a giant mud puddle) then I should be good as I stick to easy to moderate trails. I am not really interested in very technical or rock climbing related trails. Overlanding to good points of interests or campsites is my goals. Keep doing what you do as it's quite helpful and very informative.

Good video and all excellent and valid points. The FS maps are always a pain and require a lot of research going into new areas. Gaia and OnX help but always have to double check with current FS info. Keep up the excellent and inspiring content!

New to this whole thing. Completely understand the group thing as we head up a motorcycle group. We don’t call ourselves a club. Sorry squirrel. Really enjoying the channel. By any chance do you have a current video on Gaia or equivalent. Thank you.

Thanks for the video and openness. Random non-related question - have you ever thought about chopping/stubbing the rear end of your gladiator so that the departure angle more closely resembles that of a Wrangler?

There are places in southeastern Mo. that it is $200 per tire in the water! And nope ,no water crossings.

I personally don’t like to be in groups larger than 4. That’s any vehicle based group thing, car cruise, dirt bikes, street bikes, off road trail riding. I can handle 5 but that’s my absolute limit

I hate that you got blamed for the cutting of the tree cause no matter what I look at it this way, just because something has been there for older than the vehicle doesnt mean the price of your vehicle is worth it. I cant wait to get my rig together and head up that way as I live in southern AR. I love trail riding down here. Im glad I caught this video cause it made me think of all the diff off road trails and county roads I travel down.

Backed up in a box canyon to let som side by sides by and high centered my truck on arock

My problem is the forest service/blm never opens trails, they only close trails

14:48 “Im gonna speak to the manager”

Don’t forget those jerks who stack rocks! Our children and grandchildren shall not stack rock near streams!

On your recent visit to magazine mt you stated it was in the ozark national forest I believe it is in the ouachita national forest

My mistake was not being prepared to sleep in 22 degrees.

Newbie here, when talking or “googling” what qualifies as an OHV, a quick search counts Jeeps. Does that mean all Jeeps or jeeps that are turned into buggies are allowed on OHV trails, thanks for any advice and love the content!

Lol just use a strap, wrap it around the tree, and by hand, have all your buddies pull on the tree to open it up wider for the Bronco to pass through.

Good video! Important info.. Your jeep looks great. The front bumper?? (Type).. it’s really nice.

Man talking about dust... I couldn't imagine the amount of dust with 20 to 50 Jeeps... just the amount of dust i stir up by myself...sheesh... glad I haven't experienced ...............yet...lol

The only thing I'm going to say regarding cutting a tree down is it's hard to blame the guy who walks away. Don't honestly know that you could do more to stop it but I'm familiar with that situation myself. Friends and I went comping a few years ago and I get blamed for a fire during a burn ban though I wasn't present when it was lit and was the first to move to put it out

mud has beat me a couple times as well. getting out has cost me some 💰. haven't even Wheeled that much yet.

Common sense goes a long way don't it. I'm new to offroading , in a 4x4 anyway, I have never even went on a trail ride or went out with anybody else so being alone the times I've been out I get out and check stuff all the time. The things your talking about are things I do anyway. I dang sure don't wanna cause any problems for others that wanna ride the trails coz I know how much I enjoy it myself. Thanks for putting out videos like this to inform people and hopefully keep em outta trouble

I can relate to some of your mistakes. My biggest one is watching youtuber saying something is awesome and it turns out to be expensive junk. I purchased a rtt and some lights that was said to be great. It wasn't. The lights where knock off baja designs. I have the real ones now which are awesome. I gave the rtt to a friend for some work and now have roofnest which is awesome too. I have the iceco fridge. It is awesome 👌 👏

Good video, I hate you lost a "friend" over the tree incident. The reason I don't 4 wheel off road is because I don't have a rig for off road. Yes I have two 4wd vehicles but I won't risk damage. The "friend" should probably not off road or have a vehicle just for that purpose. And btw I am in no way a tree hugger.

I watched a jeep driver go over a steep up/down without stopping at the top to take a look at the other side before descending down (peak of hill very narrow) and ended up with his tires poorly positioned on the side of the ruts which then upset the chassis and resulted in being upside down. Driver was OK thankfully, but the trail ride ended and the recovery work began.

Although I don't agree with the "legal trail" . If they want people off it, than put signs up. I'm not gun have a ton of electrical stuff to deal with. It's simple, it's effective to get the point through. Nobody can have the excuse if, well I didn't know it was illegal. Great setup of gladiator. Thank for the vids.

Matt, my wife and I love and watch all of your videos and are constantly inspired by them. I do have a question, the trail you walked that was “OHV” only. I may be missing something, In Ca. The definition of a OHV is “Any motor vehicle operated off-highway is an OHV” on a U.S. forestry site I found “An off-highway vehicle (OHV) is a motor vehicle capable of off-highway travel during winter or summer.” There is no mention of street level. So I would have gone down the road. If I am missing something please let me know I couldn’t agree with you more on everything you said and thanks for helping us newbies learn from your past.

Meanwhile...us non-Jeepers...sittin' at home watchin' RU-vid! I need a Jeep...like Dang! Thanks Matt!

It takes a big man to admit he was wrong and it takes an even bigger man to make a RU-vid video showing pictures and videos of where you did things wrong and show remorse for it. Hopefully this video gets hundreds of thousands if not millions of views and people learned what not to do.

Good episode sir

Big groups s*ck, especially in technical terrain, with mixed skill set. It's particularly frustrating when you are further back and you don't have a clue what the hold up is up front. If I wanted to spend my day in a traffic jam, I can get on the Schuylkill Expressway during rush hour.

Trying to take trails that are narrower then my truck and end up getting stuck.

Great topic

Hi,Chris from the UK. You to a lesser extent have the same problem's as we do in UK and Europe. Many trails have already been closed and more to come. Great advice. As usual it's the idiot's that spoil it for the majority. Future generations will never know the true value of overland travel and running off road trails. Love your philosophy.

Man, I wish I had a RU-vid channel and knew what I was doing lol. I have a list of mistakes I have made but in regards to gear and purchases. Soo many learning/ buying mistakes

They need to explain themselves better. I think you can use the deception and difficulty in court to fight it. I would camp at that overlook!

Money!!!! Every politician keeps cutting the budget for the forest service. The belief is the average American isn’t using it so why invest? Why maintain? Why keep it open to all when you can shut it down and lower cost? You want trails to be open - find politicians that believe the forest service deserves to have funding.

Hey Matt when are you planning another Patreon wheeling trip? I would love to be involved in that! Love what you do brother that’s why I’m a Patreon!

Great video. Overhere in the UK, always see misuse of trails, I think it's better to explain your experiences to the next generation of offroaders and why it was wrong rather than, you can't do that, it's a continuing battle to stop trails being closed sadly which we are losing. Keep the videos coming.

Great video, but I'm confused on one thing. OHV specific sites typically allow 4wd street legal vehicles, so why wouldn't it be ok on a trail marked OHV 4wd?

Trusted someone spotting me on a trail they knew my jeep was to short i rolled it i didnt know it was to high my bad i should of got out and walked it i will never make that mistake agian it cost me a 50k jeep al

you can't dislike Jeep clubs that much, didn't you find Cara in a Jeep club

Great content.

Did you discover any method to petition for a change of trail use status?

Great video! Killer content

Thanks Matt. Did that trail have a marker saying no motor vehicles, or was it because you knew the map? I was just wondering. Also, the parking in water I have done the same in the past. Now, I am a water operator and understand the problem of doing that.

I think an overlooked mistake in this video is never go solo on a trail. You really should take a buddy (vehicle) with you.

Any chance you guys are driving through Indiana right now? I swear I just saw your gladiator and your wife's pink jeep going down I-69

As for your group count.... 8 to 10 max! I used to be in a SxS club/gang/ group! Ride for 15 minutes, stop for 1 hour! Break downs,pee breaks, jeep gangs driving to slow!!! Thank God I'm out of that stuff!!!!!

Not what I expected.

You said you didn't like groups over 6-8, how was the last patrion trip with 15?

I'm NOT trying to be a smartypants, but isn't wheeling alone (as in this video) another mistake/fail? Yes, that can be mitigated via cell signal or satellite communicator or whatever if you get in trouble, but if you get injured and there's nobody else there to apply first aid, it could be winding up being the biggest (and final) fail of all.

The fenced in trail is not uncommon among "civic" and "nature" groups... they often build walking paths and block them to any other form of use on public lands. Honestly I have mixed feelings about that... On one side it is good for people who just want to get out to nature... Someone who is not in shape for backpacking a trail, or has limited mobility (like my 80 year old father who sometimes needs a hiking stick for paved surfaces now), but all too often pedestrian activity enthusiasts want to close off vast swaths of public land so THEY can enjoy it, not caring how it impacts other users who also want to enjoy it. Entirely too often all sides want things THEIR WAY and to hell with everyone else. Odds are that area was built by a scout troupe so someone could get their eagle scout civic project checked off, or by some civics club, and there is no forestry information at the kiosk because forestry service let someone turn in and subsequently approved the paperwork on the project, but had nothing to do with the project itself. TO BE FAIR... Many such projects are also done to benefit other use segments such as mountain bike trails, multi use hiking/horse trails, even OHV trails (though it does tick me off to see a graded dirt/gravel road called an ATV trail and exclude other vehicles that safely fit on the trail), etc.